Neogen’s innovative Listeria Right Now test system detects Listeria in environmental samples in under 60 minutes — without the need for enrichment. The process starts with an advanced sampling method and materials to capture any Listeria present. Once captured, the test’s reagents amplify any Listeria in the sample to detectable levels in under an hour.

“It’s an honor to win a recognition as prestigious as a CFIA innovation award. During the development process, we believed we were creating an innovative new technology that would revolutionize the bacterial pathogen detection process for the food industry. This recognition validates all the work we put into the process,” said Neogen Europe’s Steve Chambers. “The well-received and NSF International validated Listeria Right Now system has now been shown to provide the food industry with both the definitive test results they need, and the much easier and quicker methodology they want.”

Neogen’s new test system can detect all species of Listeria, including the pathogenic L. monocytogenes, in under 60 minutes through their ribosomal RNA (rRNA). The process starts with taking an environmental sample to capture any Listeria present. The entire swab sample is placed in a tube that contains a lysis buffer that breaks up any bacteria present, and releases its rRNA. If Listeria is in the sample, the test’s reagents will amplify thousands of copies of its rRNA — and make the Listeria easily detectable by Listeria Right Now.

The new test system enables food safety professionals to implement an immediate action, which could include improving sanitation efforts or processes. Using Listeria Right Now also means that companies no longer have to grow potentially dangerous cultures in their facilities during the testing process, nor store test cultures for potential follow-up testing.

This year’s CFIA innovation award competition featured 120 candidates across four award categories. Following the initial submission, a presentation on Listeria Right Now was made to the judging panel by Neogen Europe’s microbiology specialist, Frederic Martinez.